Rose plant

ABSTRACT

The subject of this disclosure is a new and distinct variety of miniature rose primarily distinguished by the well shaped rose pink buds and flowers, produced in abundance, and by the bushy easy to propagate plant.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy, dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety being primarily characterized -- as to novelty -- by medium to deep rose pink buds and flowers which in general color effect are similar to Judy Fischer (miniature -- U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,137).

The variety is further characterized by:

An abundance of bloom, with flowers usually borne several to the stem in loose cluster (sometimes singly).

Little fragrance.

A plant which is vigorous, of rounded much branched shape with small semi-glossy foliage with pointed leaflets; the buds and flowers being similar in form and size to Judy Fischer (miniature -- U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,137).

The plant, which has a normal height of 12-14 inches or more, can easily be maintained at lesser height by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily both in greenhouse and outdoors; is good for growing in pots; and provides excellent garden decoration as well as cut flowers.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at Sequoia Nursery located at Visalia, Calif., under conditions of careful control and observation, as a cross between Pinocchio (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 484, expired -- Floribunda) as the seed parent and Little Chief (miniature not patented) as the pollen parent.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully asexually reproduced it at Sequoia Nursery, located as aforesaid, by budding as well as by cuttings; the reproductions having run true in all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including the foliage, buds and flowers.

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline; all major color plate identifications being by reference to the British Colour Council Horticultural Colour Chart, except where common terms of color definition are employed.

Type: Hardy; drawf; bushy; rounded; seedling; greenhouse; outdoors; cut flowers; garden decoration; potted plant.

Class: Miniature. Variety name: Carol-Jean.

Flowers borne: Singly and several together (three to five) on slender wirey stems.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant both outside and in greenhouse.

Bud: Peduncle -- medium length; slender but sturdy; erect; medium green, sometimes tinted bronze (outdoors); hairs -- usually several. Before calyx breaks; size -- small. Form: pointed ovoid with several foliaceous appendages and numerous short hairs on surface of bud; with foliaceous parts extending beyond the tip of the bud equal to one-half or less of its length. Color -- medium green, occasionally tinted with bronze (outdoors). As calyx breaks, color -- rose pink -- near Nyron Rose 623 (sometimes whitish at base). Opening: opens well in all weather.

Bloom: Size when fully open -- small, averaging about 25-30 mm. Petalage -- double -- averaging about 25-30 petals, arranged regularly plus sometimes a few small petaloids. Form -- cupped at first, becoming more open in the center, with petals rolled loosely outward, and later at maturity open with petals rolled loosely outward and downward. Open flowers show stamens.

Petals: Fairly thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface. Shape -- outside petals, broad lanceolate with rounded tip; intermediate -- broad lanceolate with rounded tip; inside -- lanceolate with short acute (nearly rounded) tip.

Color: Newly opened flower from a plant grown in plastic greenhouse (August 1977), Visalia, Calif.:

Outside petal.--Outside surface -- near white overlaid with rose pink, near Nyron Rose 623, on upper 2/3 of petal. Inside surface -- near Nyron Rose 623 blending into white on basal 1/3 of petal (sometimes deeper shade in cooler weather).

Intermediate petal.--Outside surface -- similar to outside petal. Inside surface -- similar to outside petal.

Inner petal.--Outside surface same as intermediate petal; inside surface -- same as intermediate petal.

General color effect.--Newly opened flowers -- clear rose pink. Three days open -- color similar to newly opened flowers. Behavior -- opens well in all weather. Spent petals drop off. Flower longevity (September 1976) -- plant in pot 4-6 days or longer. Cut flowers at living room temperature 3-5 days or longer.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Average number, arranged regularly about pistils.

Filaments.--Varying length, yellow.

Anthers.--Well formed; yellow.

Pollen.--Little or none.

Pistils.--Average number.

Styles.--Fairly even; medium length; bunched.

Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx.

Hips.--none.

Sepals.--Permanent; spear shaped; recurved.

Seed.--None.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of five (sometimes three, often seven) leaflets; quite small; leathery; semi-glossy.

Leaflets.--Shape: broad, nearly oval; apex acute; base rounded or rounded acute. Margin serrate. Color: medium green; new growth -- normal (medium) green. Rachis: medium strength; upper side may have several tiny short hairs, grooved; underside; several small thorns with some tiny hairs. Stipules: Medium long; narrow to medium width; medium length; narrow points which turn out at more or less than 45°.

Growth:

Habit.--Dwarf; bushy; rounded; much branched.

Growth.--Free vigorous; internodes short.

Canes.--Medium; slender; sturdy.

Main stems.--Color: medium green.

Thorn.--Average; slender; hooked slightly downward; color; brown. Prickles -- none. Hairs -- none.

Branches.--Color: light to medium green. Thorns: average; short length; slender; hooked; color -- greenish. Medium to short oval base. Prickles: none. Hairs: none.

The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary in slight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under which the variety may be grown; the present description being of the variety as grown at Visalia, Calif. 

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant of hardy, dwarf, bushy, much branched habit, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by buds and flowers which are medium to deep rose pink in color, (often deeper colored outdoors), the buds and flowers resembling Judy Fischer (miniature -- U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,137) in size and shape; and further characterized by a plant which is vigorous and compact, easy to propagate from cuttings or by budding, with an abundance of disease resistant small semi-glossy or matt foliage and an abundance of flowers borne singly or several to the stem in loose clusters. 